Safety & Prevention

Medication Side Effects

All medications have the potential to cause secondary, unwanted and/or adverse effects.

Adverse Effects

Adverse effects are any undesirable experience associated with the use of a medical product in a patient. Medication side effects can include:

Upset stomach

Diarrhea or loose stools

Dry mouth

Drowsiness

Change in activity or mood

Dizziness

Flushing, sweating

Rashes

Rapid heartbeat

The effects of medication can vary from child to child. For example, the same antihistamine can make one child sleepy while another becomes jittery and hyperactive. Side effects that could be normal for one medication might be abnormal for another. A fast heart rate, for instance, is expected for albuterol, an asthma medication, but not for an antibiotic.

Allergic Reactions

Allergic reactions may involve many different types of symptoms such as:

Swelling

Rash

Difficulty breathing

Allergic reactions are difficult to predict and range from mild (redness of skin, itching) to severe (life threatening). Skin disturbances are the most common.

When To Call

​When Should You Call 911?

When Should You Call Poison Control?

1-800-222-1222​

When you see signs of distress including:

Loss of (or change in) consciousness

Blue color or difficulty breathing

Difficulty swallowing

Swelling of lips, tongue, or face, or drooling

Seizure activity

Rapidly spreading rash or hives

Impaired speech or mobility

Getting worse quickly

When in doubt ​

​When medication is given to the wrong child

When the wrong medication is given to a child

When the wrong dose is given (overdose)

When a medication is given by the wrong route or using the wrong procedure

When a medication is given at the wrong time (and it results in an extra dose)

The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.